Rotary drive element with optical sensor

ABSTRACT

A visual display system selectively operable to display, upon command, any one of a plurality of different bits of information. The exemplary embodiment is intended for use in an indoor golf game to display scenes representing perspective views of any one of a plurality of different locations on any one of a plurality of different holes on a golf course. The system also includes a ball spot projector for projecting a spot of light on the projected scene in a manner to simulate the trajectory of a golf ball in flight. The scene selection system is a digital servo system for economy and reliability and is operative to minimize film fading on frequently used scenes such as a scene depicting the view from the tee on a golf hole and is further operative to reduce fading of any particular scene due to prolonged exposure by automatically shifting to an advertising scene or the like when the scene selection has not been made after a predetermined time.

United States Patent Russell et al.

[ 1 Dec. 2, 1975 i 1 ROTARY DRIVE ELEMENT WITH OPTICAL SENSOR Primary Examiner-Walter Stolwein [75] Inventors: Jack Russell, spring Lake; Attorney, Agent, or FirmHofgren, Wegner. Allen,

Goodrich B. Pratt, Grand Haven; Steuman & Mccord Anthon J. Gret k M k ll Midi z y a 57 ABSTRACT A visual display system selectively operable to display, I73] Asslgpnee' Blunswlck corporauon Skokle upon command, any one of a plurality of different-bits [22] Filed: Dec. 20, 1973 of information. The exemplary embodiment is intended for use in an indoor golf game to display [2H Appl' 426505 scenes representing perspective views of any one of a Related US. Application D t plurality of different locations on any one of a plural- [62] Division of Sen 69,768 Sept. 4 970' ity of different holes on a golf coursev The system also includes a ball spot projector for projecting a spot of 52 US. Cl. 250/236; 250/227- 250/570 light Projected Scene a manner to Simulate 51 Int. 01. H01J 3/14 the trajectory a in flight The Scene [58] Field of Search 250570, 566 557 227 tion system is a digital servo system for economy and 250/234 226/76; 235/61,. reliability and is operative to minimize film fading on frequently used scenes such as a scene depicting the [56] References Cited view from the tee on a golf hole and is further opera- UNITED STATES PATENTS tive to reduce fading of any particular scene due to 7 254 932 prolonged exposure by automatically shifting to an adi T 250/555 X vertising scene or the like when the scene selection 2'985764 5/1961 t gllz 22 52 has not been made after a predetermined time. 3,638,028 l/l972 Madsen et al. 250/570 4 Claims, 37 Drawing Figures 274 4 1 242 I 9 1 I 352 Q Z3 4 I I WK L 9 ee I I Q o o i 7' x I 1 J T I 3% l I W INK LQ jOO A US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 2 of 31 3,924,122

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U.S. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 l l l I l ACQ A'cq 

1. In a random access information retrieval system wherein information bits are stored at a plurality of different locations on a strip like medium, the combination comprising: means, including a medium engaging rotary drive element, for positively engaging and driving the medium through an information retrieval station; means for selectively controlling said drive means for causing the same to dispose a selected bit of information on the medium at the retrievel station; and means including a portion of said medium engaging rotary drive element and rotatable therewith, for optically sensing code information on the medium disposed between the bits of information thereon for continuously providing information identifying the bit of information then in the retrieval station.
 2. A system according to claim 1 for use with a medium having sprocket holes wherein said medium engaging rotary drive element comprises a drive sprocket having a number of medium engaging teeth that is an integral multiple of the number sprocket holes on the medium per bit of information on the medium.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the integral multiple is an even number and said optical sensing means includes light pipes extending through the sprocket and adapted to optically register with optical discontinuities on the medium between the bits of information contained thereon.
 4. A system according to claim 3 further including photosensitive elements fixed with respect to said sprocket to sense the presence or absence of light passing through said light pipes and through said medium; said system further including a strobe circuit arranged to be actuated by one of said light sensitive elements upon receipt of light thereby and for actuating the other of the light sensitive elements for a short period of time upon its actuation. 